Question 1

External validity concerns the extent that research findings

Accepted Answer

A)  result from methodologically sound procedures 
B)  result from studies that carefully define the variables 
C)  generalize beyond the specific group tested in the study 
D)  reflect properly completed statistical analyses 
A)  result from methodologically sound procedures 
B)  result from studies that carefully define the variables 
C)  generalize beyond the specific group tested in the study 
D)  reflect properly completed statistical analyses C

Question 2

After taking a special computerized introductory sociology course, students do twice as well on the posttest as they did on the pretest. The researcher suspects the pretest alerted students to what was to come, however. This threat to internal validity is called

Accepted Answer

A)  instrumentation 
B)  testing 
C)  regression to the mean 
D)  selection 
A)  instrumentation 
B)  testing 
C)  regression to the mean 
D)  selection B

Question 3

It is sometimes argued that using control groups is unethical because it can deprive participants of useful treatments. How do most research psychologists respond?

Accepted Answer

Most research psychologists respond to this argument by emphasizing the importance of using control groups in order to accurately measure the effectiveness of a treatment. They argue that without control groups, it is impossible to determine whether a treatment is truly effective or if any improvements are simply due to other factors. Additionally, psychologists often point out that control groups are necessary in order to ensure the safety and well-being of participants, as it allows researchers to compare the effects of a new treatment to the standard or placebo treatment. While it is important to consider ethical concerns, most research psychologists believe that the benefits of using control groups outweigh the potential drawbacks, and that careful consideration of ethical principles can ensure that participants are not deprived of useful treatments.

Question 4

Uncontrolled extraneous variables are referred to as ________.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Uncontrolled extraneous variables are referred to as...

Question 5

Another term for "uncontrolled extraneous variable" is

Accepted Answer

A)  confounding variable 
B)  independent variable 
C)  dependent variable 
D)  subject variable 
A)  confounding variable 
B)  independent variable 
C)  dependent variable 
D)  subject variable

Question 6

Those who argue that psychologists know a great deal about college sophomores but very little about other groups are criticizing the ______ validity of psychological research.

Accepted Answer

A)  internal 
B)  construct 
C)  external 
D)  statistical conclusion 
A)  internal 
B)  construct 
C)  external 
D)  statistical conclusion

Question 7

Social psychologists might be concerned that conformity experiments using participants from individualist cultures might not be relevant for understanding behavior in collectivist cultures. This concern is about _______ validity.

Accepted Answer

A)  internal 
B)  external 
C)  construct 
D)  statistical conclusion 
A)  internal 
B)  external 
C)  construct 
D)  statistical conclusion

Question 8

Because of the _______ phenomenon, any extreme score on a pretest is almost certain to be followed by a less extreme score on the posttest.

Accepted Answer

A)  regression to the mean 
B)  history 
C)  maturation 
D)  testing 
A)  regression to the mean 
B)  history 
C)  maturation 
D)  testing

Question 9

With ___________ participants complete different tasks, whereas with ___________ participants are told how to do certain tasks.

Accepted Answer

A)  instructional variables; task variables 
B)  task variables; instructional variables 
C)  task variables; situational variables 
D)  situational variables; task variables 
A)  instructional variables; task variables 
B)  task variables; instructional variables 
C)  task variables; situational variables 
D)  situational variables; task variables

Question 10

In order to determine if some experience brought about a change in an individual from one time to another, researchers often use designs that include

Accepted Answer

A)  pretests and posttests 
B)  control groups 
C)  statistics 
D)  regression 
A)  pretests and posttests 
B)  control groups 
C)  statistics 
D)  regression

Question 11

For which of these empirical questions would a control group most clearly be needed?

Accepted Answer

A)  If institutionalized elderly are given responsibility for meal planning, will it improve their psychological health? 
B)  Do laboratory-bred rats learn mazes faster than wild rats? 
C)  If participants are trying to solve problems, will they perform better in the morning or the evening? 
D)  Will an attractive female defendant be treated more leniently by a jury than an attractive male defendant? 
A)  If institutionalized elderly are given responsibility for meal planning, will it improve their psychological health? 
B)  Do laboratory-bred rats learn mazes faster than wild rats? 
C)  If participants are trying to solve problems, will they perform better in the morning or the evening? 
D)  Will an attractive female defendant be treated more leniently by a jury than an attractive male defendant?

Question 12

Experimental group is to control group as ________ is to _______.

Accepted Answer

A)  independent variable; dependent variable 
B)  dependent variable; independent variable 
C)  untreated; treated 
D)  treated; untreated 
A)  independent variable; dependent variable 
B)  dependent variable; independent variable 
C)  untreated; treated 
D)  treated; untreated

Question 13

In the Bobo doll study by Bandura, Ross, and Ross,

Accepted Answer

A)  children saw different degrees of aggression; there was no control group used 
B)  both a manipulated and a subject variable were included 
C)  the size of the Bobo doll was kept the same for both adult models and child participants 
D)  the dependent variable was sex 
A)  children saw different degrees of aggression; there was no control group used 
B)  both a manipulated and a subject variable were included 
C)  the size of the Bobo doll was kept the same for both adult models and child participants 
D)  the dependent variable was sex

Question 14

Conclusions about cause and effect can be drawn in studies involving

Accepted Answer

A)  instructional variables 
B)  task variables 
C)  situational variables 
D)  all of the above 
A)  instructional variables 
B)  task variables 
C)  situational variables 
D)  all of the above

Question 15

Explain why selection effects can cause problems for researchers and explain how selection can interact with other threats to internal validity.

Accepted Answer

Selection effects can cause problems for

Question 16

Explain what is meant by a subject selection confound and give an example of how this problem can interact with other threats to internal validity.

Accepted Answer

A subject selection confound occurs when

Question 17

Concerning subject (participant) pools, the APA recommends all of the following except

Accepted Answer

A)  alternative activities must equal research participation in terms of time and effort 
B)  students should be aware of the requirement before signing up for the course 
C)  students should be encouraged to participate, and be told about alternatives if they ask about them 
D)  there must be a clear and simple method for students to complain about any perceived mistreatment 
A)  alternative activities must equal research participation in terms of time and effort 
B)  students should be aware of the requirement before signing up for the course 
C)  students should be encouraged to participate, and be told about alternatives if they ask about them 
D)  there must be a clear and simple method for students to complain about any perceived mistreatment

Question 18

In a study about self-esteem, self-esteem is

Accepted Answer

A)  a subject variable 
B)  a manipulated variable 
C)  the dependent variable 
D)  could be any of the above 
A)  a subject variable 
B)  a manipulated variable 
C)  the dependent variable 
D)  could be any of the above

Question 19

In a study assessing the effects of crowding on problem solving, participants solve anagrams in large or small rooms. In this case, the independent variable is

Accepted Answer

A)  a situational variable 
B)  a task variable 
C)  an instructional variable 
D)  a subject variable 
A)  a situational variable 
B)  a task variable 
C)  an instructional variable 
D)  a subject variable

Question 20

When B. F. Skinner was ranked as the top psychologist by psychology department heads, some might argue that the ranking occurred because the study was done shortly after Skinner died. This is a criticism of ________ validity.

Accepted Answer

A)  internal 
B)  construct 
C)  external 
D)  statistical conclusion 
A)  internal 
B)  construct 
C)  external 
D)  statistical conclusion

External validity concerns the extent that research findings

After taking a special computerized introductory sociology course, students do twice as well on the posttest as they did on the pretest. The researcher suspects the pretest alerted students to what was to come, however. This threat to internal validity is called

It is sometimes argued that using control groups is unethical because it can deprive participants of useful treatments. How do most research psychologists respond?

Uncontrolled extraneous variables are referred to as ________.

Another term for "uncontrolled extraneous variable" is

Those who argue that psychologists know a great deal about college sophomores but very little about other groups are criticizing the ______ validity of psychological research.

Social psychologists might be concerned that conformity experiments using participants from individualist cultures might not be relevant for understanding behavior in collectivist cultures. This concern is about _______ validity.

Because of the _______ phenomenon, any extreme score on a pretest is almost certain to be followed by a less extreme score on the posttest.

With _ participants complete different tasks, whereas with _ participants are told how to do certain tasks.

In order to determine if some experience brought about a change in an individual from one time to another, researchers often use designs that include

For which of these empirical questions would a control group most clearly be needed?

Experimental group is to control group as __ is to _.

In the Bobo doll study by Bandura, Ross, and Ross,

Conclusions about cause and effect can be drawn in studies involving

Explain why selection effects can cause problems for researchers and explain how selection can interact with other threats to internal validity.

Explain what is meant by a subject selection confound and give an example of how this problem can interact with other threats to internal validity.

Concerning subject (participant) pools, the APA recommends all of the following except

In a study about self-esteem, self-esteem is

In a study assessing the effects of crowding on problem solving, participants solve anagrams in large or small rooms. In this case, the independent variable is

When B. F. Skinner was ranked as the top psychologist by psychology department heads, some might argue that the ranking occurred because the study was done shortly after Skinner died. This is a criticism of ________ validity.

Scientific Thinking in Psychology

Ethics in Psychological Research

Developing Ideas for Research in Psychology

Measurement, Sampling, and Data Analysis

Control Problems in Experimental Research

Experimental Design 1: Single Factor Designs

Experimental Design II: Factorial Designs

Correlational Research

Quasi-Experimental Designs Applied Research

Small N Designs

Descriptive Research Methods

Filters

Exam 5: Introduction to Experimental Research

External validity concerns the extent that research findings

After taking a special computerized introductory sociology course, students do twice as well on the posttest as they did on the pretest. The researcher suspects the pretest alerted students to what was to come, however. This threat to internal validity is called

It is sometimes argued that using control groups is unethical because it can deprive participants of useful treatments. How do most research psychologists respond?

Uncontrolled extraneous variables are referred to as ________.

Another term for "uncontrolled extraneous variable" is

Those who argue that psychologists know a great deal about college sophomores but very little about other groups are criticizing the ______ validity of psychological research.

Social psychologists might be concerned that conformity experiments using participants from individualist cultures might not be relevant for understanding behavior in collectivist cultures. This concern is about _______ validity.

Because of the _______ phenomenon, any extreme score on a pretest is almost certain to be followed by a less extreme score on the posttest.

With ___________ participants complete different tasks, whereas with ___________ participants are told how to do certain tasks.

In order to determine if some experience brought about a change in an individual from one time to another, researchers often use designs that include

For which of these empirical questions would a control group most clearly be needed?

Experimental group is to control group as ________ is to _______.

In the Bobo doll study by Bandura, Ross, and Ross,

Conclusions about cause and effect can be drawn in studies involving

Explain why selection effects can cause problems for researchers and explain how selection can interact with other threats to internal validity.

Explain what is meant by a subject selection confound and give an example of how this problem can interact with other threats to internal validity.

Concerning subject (participant) pools, the APA recommends all of the following except

In a study about self-esteem, self-esteem is

In a study assessing the effects of crowding on problem solving, participants solve anagrams in large or small rooms. In this case, the independent variable is

When B. F. Skinner was ranked as the top psychologist by psychology department heads, some might argue that the ranking occurred because the study was done shortly after Skinner died. This is a criticism of ________ validity.

Scientific Thinking in Psychology

Ethics in Psychological Research

Developing Ideas for Research in Psychology

Measurement, Sampling, and Data Analysis

Control Problems in Experimental Research

Experimental Design 1: Single Factor Designs

Experimental Design II: Factorial Designs

Correlational Research

Quasi-Experimental Designs Applied Research

Small N Designs

Descriptive Research Methods

Filters

With _ participants complete different tasks, whereas with _ participants are told how to do certain tasks.

Experimental group is to control group as __ is to _.